TRIBUTE TO MY NAMESAKE
Professor Michael Onyemachi Oleka has departed the flesh to continue his experiencing hopefully in the finer planes of the beyond in accordance with the lawfulness of the Will of His Creator. We who called him our friend can only glorify the Lord in His wisdom and supplicate His mercies to help this sojourning soul to find the real path on his way to the eternal realms of the Almighty Father. May our grief not be a burden to him.
I drew close to Professor Michael Oleka because of his courageous and principled stand on issues and even closer when we realized we shared the uncommon Igbo name of Onyemachi. He called a spade a spade and stood his grounds on conviction. He did not suffer fools gladly and had no space for slothful workers who could not contribute their requisite quota to the growth of the institution. He had the courage to correct firmly and in love. He was committed to the principles of University as an agent of Change and vehicle of truth and discharged any duty assigned him creditably to the best of his ability. He made order out of chaos and repositioned any unit he headed for proper service delivery.
He chose his friends carefully and adopted a few of us as "NWA" not "UMU". To these he confided in and relaxed with. A master story teller he could hold us spell bound as he regaled us with the stories of his exploits both locally and internationally spiced with humour that can have us in stitches.
Professor Oleka was always well dresssed in his customized suits and characteristic bow ties in sartorial elegance. He could not stand sloppy dresssing and was drawn close to those who knew how to step out in style.He had ready compliments for good decent dressing and well styled hair and could make your day with these unresrved compliments. Professor Oleka was a good dancer and could not stop telling the stories of his winning dances in University College Ibadan.
Professor Oleka was disciplined and the did not spare the rod in raising his two children the evidence of which is how well and responsible they both turned out. This same discipline he brought to bear in his relationships with students, colleagues and friends.
We have lost a friend, supporter and mentor but I am consoled by the fact that he gave his life this time around to visible notable achievements in the development of human values that could foster enduring sustainable growth.
Adieu my Friend, My Namesake. Adieu and may you awaken to joyful activity in the Eternal Realms of the Almighty Father.